Let The Fda Regulate Tobacco

July 26, 2004

Smoking is a lethal habit that kills 440,000 Americans each year, yet the Food and Drug Administration has no regulatory authority over tobacco.

Change is on the horizon, however. After years of debate, the Senate finally voted to give the FDA power over the sale, distribution and advertising of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. The historic vote earlier this month was part of a deal that also includes a $12 billion, 10-year buyout to end the tobacco quota system, under which farmers receive cash payments in return for limiting production. The buyout money would come from assessments on tobacco companies.

Although the buyout would end the absurdity of having the government subsidize a dangerous product, it is far from perfect.

For starters, the bulk of the money would go to a small number of farmers who own most of the quotas. More than 450 farmers would each get $1 million or more. Moreover, billions of dollars would flow to farmers who no longer grow tobacco, but who still own quotas. Unfortunately, the alternative is likely to be continued stalemate and an ongoing waste of taxpayer money.

Giving the FDA power to regulate tobacco has the potential to reduce smoking by persuading young people not to take up the deadly habit. The government first linked smoking to lung cancer 40 years ago.

Under the Senate bill, the FDA could require manufacturers to list ingredients on packages, include stronger warning labels and reduce or eliminate additives. The health agency would have no authority to ban nicotine, an addictive agent, but could limit it.

The Senate bill must be reconciled with a much weaker House version that has no provision for FDA oversight and would require taxpayers, rather than manufacturers, to foot the buyout. That would be a travesty.

The surgeon general said recently that the impact of smoking on health is worse than previously known. He added nine diseases to those conclusively linked to cigarettes.

Unfortunately, time is fast running out in the current congressional session, which means the issue might be tabled until next year. For too long, Congress has bowed to the wishes of Big Tobacco. Congress should not delay another year.